LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Bellarmine University women's basketball team began Atlantic Sun Conference play just like several of its nonconference contests unfolded — with an epic second-half comeback.

Unfortunately, the ultimate result wasn't the same for the Knights in their conference debut.

North Alabama's Charity Gallegos weaved her way through Bellarmine's defense for a go-ahead layup with 2.2 seconds remaining as the visiting Lions defeated the Knights 90-89 in overtime.

Gallegos scored 32 points, an impressive tally that was matched by Bellarmine's Hayley Harrison. It was a career high for the senior guard, who poured in 28 of her points in the second half and overtime. Harrison spearheaded a comeback from 22 points down to force an extra session.

Harrison scored nine points in the first 2:21 of overtime, but Bellarmine (9-5, 0-1 ASUN) and North Alabama (6-6, 1-0) kept trading baskets before the Lions created some cushion with a 7-0 run for an 88-82 lead with 45 seconds left. The Knights answered with a layup by senior guard Hope Sivori, who had 20 points, and traditional three-point play from junior guard Erin Toller to race back within 88-87.

After Bellarmine forced a turnover, Harrison inched the Knights ahead with 11 seconds left after sinking a pair of free throws. Gallegos then swung the advantage right back to North Alabama after some shifty moves led to her go-ahead layup with 2.2 seconds remaining.

Bellarmine got a good look following a timeout, but the Knights' potential game-winning jumper was off-target.

Senior forward Skylar Treadwell registered 16 points and eight rebounds for Bellarmine. She calmly drained a pair of free throws with 1.2 seconds left to send the game to overtime tied at 71 after the Knights trailed by 13 with 5:54 remaining.

Bellarmine was familiar with the challenge, erasing three double-digit fourth-quarter deficits to win in nonconference play.

In less than two-and-a-half minutes, the Knights trimmed the deficit to three with a 12-2 run capped by a Toller 3-pointer. Then, with 27 seconds left, Sivori swished a triple while being fouled and completed the four-point play to knot it up at 69.

Inside 10 seconds left, Gallegos and Treadwell exchanged made free throws, the latter forcing overtime.

Toller scored 10 points and junior guard Miyah Brown grabbed 10 rebounds for Bellarmine. North Alabama's 53-34 rebounding advantage was crucial, and the Knights were a little off at the charity stripe after finishing 19-for-27 (70.4) — they entered an ASUN-best 74.5 percent.

Bellarmine will host Central Arkansas in an ASUN contest at 2 p.m. (ET) Saturday.

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